possess

From Middle French possesser (“to possess”), from Latin possessus, past participle of possīdeō.

• IPA^(key): /pəˈzɛs/

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• Rhymes: -ɛs

possess (third-person singular simple present possesses, present participle possessing, simple past and past participle possessed)

1. (transitive) To have; to have ownership of.

   He does not even possess a working telephone.

   • 1818, Mary Shelley, Frankenstein, Volume 3, Chapter 7:

     [...], the companions of our childhood always possess a certain power over our minds, which hardly any later friend can obtain.

   • 1922, Ben Travers, chapter 1, in A Cuckoo in the Nest‎:

     He read the letter aloud. Sophia listened with the studied air of one for whom, even in these days, a title possessed some surreptitious allurement.

2. (transitive) To take control of someone's body or mind, especially in a supernatural manner.

   They thought he was possessed by evil spirits.

   What on earth possessed you to go walking by the quarry at midnight?

3. (transitive, dated, chiefly with of) To vest ownership in (someone, or oneself); to give someone power or knowledge; to acquaint; to inform.
   • 1599, William Shakespeare, Much Ado About Nothing, Act 5 Scene 1

     LEONATO. I cannot bid you bid my daughter live;

     That were impossible; but, I pray you both,

     Possess the people in Messina here

     How innocent she died;

   • Shakespeare (1599) Twelfth Night, Act II Scene III

• ((with of), to vest ownership): seise
• (qualities or characteristics): inhold